Edgar Fairhurst

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Independent investigation into
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
the death of Mr Edgar Fairhurst,
a prisoner at HMP Gartree, on
11 January 2025
A report by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
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© Crown copyright, 2025
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1. The Prisons and Probation Ombudsman aims to make a significant contribution to
safer, fairer custody and community supervision. One of the most important ways in
which we work towards that aim is by carrying out independent investigations into
deaths, due to any cause, of prisoners, young people in detention, residents of
approved premises and detainees in immigration centres.
2. If my office is to best assist His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) in
ensuring the standard of care received by those within service remit is appropriate,
our recommendations should be focused, evidenced and viable. This is especially
the case if there is evidence of systemic failure.
3. On 23 June 2016, Mr Edgar Fairhurst was sentenced to life imprisonment for
murder. He died of pneumonia on 11 January 2025, at HMP Gartree. He was 83
years old. We offer our condolences to Mr Fairhurst’s family and friends.
4. The Ombudsman’s office wrote to Mr Fairhurst’s next of kin to explain the
investigation and to ask if they had any matters they wanted us to consider. They
had no questions but asked for a copy of our report.
5. NHS England commissioned an independent clinical reviewer, to review Mr
Fairhurst’s clinical care at HMP Gartree. The clinical reviewer’s report is attached as
Annex 1.
6. The clinical reviewer concluded that the clinical care Mr Fairhurst received at
Gartree was of a good standard and was at least equivalent to what he could have
expected to receive in the community. She found that Mr Fairhurst’s medical
records contained evidence of excellent individualised end of life care planning. The
clinical reviewer made no recommendations.
7. The PPO investigator investigated the non-clinical issues relating to Mr Fairhurst’s
care. We found non-clinical issues of concern.
8. We make no recommendations.
9. The initial report was shared with HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) and
the healthcare provider, Practice Plus Group. No factual inaccuracies were
identified.
10. At the inquest held on 23 January 2025, the coroner concluded that Mr Edgar
Fairhurst died of natural causes.
Adrian Usher July 2025
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman
Prisons and Probation Ombudsman 1
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Third Floor, 10 South Colonnade Email: mail@ppo.gov.uk T l 020 7633 4100
Canary Wharf, London E14 4PU Web: www.ppo.gov.uk
OFFICIAL - FOR PUBLIC RELEASE